Lieberman receives intelligence community’s highest award

WASHINGTON (JTA) – Outgoing Sen. Joseph Lieberman was awarded the National Intelligence Distinguished Public Service Medal for “extraordinary service to the nation.”

Lieberman (I-Conn.), who chairs the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, on Tuesday received the highest recognition awarded by the intelligence community to one who is not part of the community.

James Clapper, the director of National Intelligence, called Lieberman “a steadfast ally of the intelligence community.”

“It is no exaggeration for me to say that the nation is more secure because of his leadership, interest and support for the intelligence community,” Clapper said.

Lieberman is retiring at the end of the month after serving 24 years in the U.S. Senate.

Past recipients of the award include Sens. Jay Rockefeller (D-W. Va.) and John Warner (R-Va.).